WILLIAM H. BOYD. It has been but a few years since this honored citizen and prominent agriculturist of Cotton Hill Township was borne to his long home. Few of the old residents have been more thoroughly identified with the interests of this section than he, or would be mourned with greater sincerity when called hence. As an agriculturist he had been very successful, and his estate was a large and well regulated one. His widow has, since his demise, competently managed affairs showing great capability for business. She owns four hundred and two acres on section 17, where many improvements were made by Mr. Boyd before he closed his earthly career.

Mr. Boyd was born in Cotton Hill Township May 1, 1837, grew to manhood here and enjoyed the privileges of the common schools. This was his home from infancy, except for eight months during which time he was a dweller in Ball Township. A synopsis of the lives of his parents will be found in the sketch of G. B. Boyd, elsewhere in this volume. He took an active interest in the affairs of the township and gave the support of his name and contributions to all worthy enterprises. He was Highway Commissioner, Assessor and Clerk, and served in the school offices with zeal and prudence. His religious membership was in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was Steward and Class-Leader several years.

The wife of Mr. Boyd was known in her girlhood as Miss Mary A. Vigal and is a daughter of John T. and Hannah (Coble) Vigal, whose history is included in the notice of William H. Vigal on another page of this Album. She was born on the old farm in Cotton Hill Township, April 30, 1837, and from her parents' door went forth a happy bride March 31, 1859. She is the mother of one child, a daughter, Frances D., who married Joseph H. Colean and lives in Pawnee Township. When bereft of her beloved husband, December 25, 1885, Mrs. Boyd was comforted by the Christian's hope, she, like him, having long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a devout believer.